The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 30) provided an update on the fourth confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) affecting a man aged 75.

"The epidemiological investigations, enhanced disease surveillance, port health measures and health education against avian influenza are all ongoing," a spokesman for the DH said.

As of 2pm today, 10 close contacts and 74 other contacts have been located.

Close contacts included: * Five family members of the patient in Hong Kong; and * Five patients who stayed in the same cubicle or room with the patient in Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH).

All of them have remained asymptomatic and their respiratory specimens were all negative for the H7 virus upon preliminary laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB). They remain under observation.

Other contacts included a relevant visitor and health-care workers (HCWs) of TMH and the ambulance service. They remain under medical surveillance. Among them, two TMH HCWs developed non-specific symptoms and their specimens were both negative for H7 upon the PHLSB's preliminary testing.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 30) provided an update on the fourth confirmed human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) affecting a man aged 75.

"The epidemiological investigations, enhanced disease surveillance, port health measures and health education against avian influenza are all ongoing," a spokesman for the DH said.

As of 2pm today, 10 close contacts and 74 other contacts have been located.

Close contacts included: * Five family members of the patient in Hong Kong; and * Five patients who stayed in the same cubicle or room with the patient in Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH).

All of them have remained asymptomatic and their respiratory specimens were all negative for the H7 virus upon preliminary laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB). They remain under observation.

Other contacts included a relevant visitor and health-care workers (HCWs) of TMH and the ambulance service. They remain under medical surveillance. Among them, two TMH HCWs developed non-specific symptoms and their specimens were both negative for H7 upon the PHLSB's preliminary testing.